Arsenal await Saka call as Merino ruled out for Chelsea
Tottenham beat Arsenal to Hearts prospect James Wilson on Deadline Day. The 18-year-old joins Spurs U21s on loan with option to buy.
Arsenal add teens Evan Mooney and Jaden Dixon, but no senior midfielder. Tonali’s agent denies any Arsenal talks. Merino’s injury search brought no late first-team deal.
Arteta says Bukayo Saka’s issue is not serious but a late call will be made for Chelsea. Mikel Merino needs foot surgery after the Man Utd injury. Arsenal lead 3-2 before the Carabao Cup second leg.
Arteta defends Arsenal’s style, calling them ‘the most exciting in Europe’, noting goals and clean sheets. With a 3-2 lead over Chelsea, he targets the Carabao Cup as a catalyst for more trophies.
PSG loanee Gabriel Moscardo says Luis Campos guides his development at Braga and wants him back next season. No Arsenal link here.
Premier League credit Madueke with Arsenal’s second at Leeds after review, giving him his first league goal for the club. He also assisted Zubimendi in the 4-0 win.
Atlético Madrid agree €16m plus add-ons for Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, with Arsenal and Real Madrid missing out as the 20-year-old accepts Atléti’s proposal.
With Merino out, Arteta says Arsenal ‘explore every option’ and are ‘on it’, not ruling out signings. Oxlade-Chamberlain trained at London Colney but no deal confirmed.
Arteta was ‘obsessed’ with signing Eze for £67.5m, but the playmaker averages 56 minutes and has not scored in the league since his Spurs hat-trick, amid calls for more game time.
Arsenal focus on exits: Zinchenko to Ajax, Nwaneri to Marseille loan, plus youth moves. No first-team signings listed for January.
Inter’s Giuseppe Marotta targets a 2030 San Siro, says Italy must be sustainable and follow Chelsea and Arsenal’s youth models, citing Arsenal’s stadium-first approach to close revenue gaps.
Tony Adams says he hears Odegaard is ‘very good’ as captain and ‘the lads love him’. Odegaard has surpassed Vieira for Premier League wins as Arsenal skipper.
Arsenal defend a 3-2 lead vs Chelsea. Merino is out with a fractured foot, Saka faces a late test. Predicted XI includes Arrizabalaga, Saliba, Gabriel, Rice and Jesus for the Carabao Cup semi-final.
